Name: Christmas pudding semifreddo
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 600 ml thickened cream; 375 gm crème fraîche; 2 tsp cinnamon; ½ tsp each ground cloves and finely grated nutmeg; 1 vanilla bean, scraped seeds only; 250 gm Christmas pudding, coarsely crumbled; 60 ml brandy; 9 egg yolks; 250 gm raw caster sugar; 100 gm glacé orange, finely chopped; Christmas pudding crumbs; 200 gm Christmas pudding, coarsely crumbled; 20 gm demerara sugar; 20 ml brandy

Christmas pudding semifreddo

If there's a better way to use up leftover Christmas pudding, we've yet to find it.

Serves 6

Prep

20M

Cook

20M

Total

40M

This is a simple use for leftover Christmas pudding or will add a homemade touch to store-bought pudding. You’ll need to begin this recipe a day ahead.

Ingredients

600 ml thickened cream

375 gm crème fraîche

2 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp each ground cloves and finely grated nutmeg

1 vanilla bean, scraped seeds only

250 gm Christmas pudding, coarsely crumbled

60 ml brandy

9 egg yolks

250 gm raw caster sugar

100 gm glacé orange, finely chopped

Christmas pudding crumbs

200 gm Christmas pudding, coarsely crumbled

20 gm demerara sugar

20 ml brandy

Method

Main

1.Whisk cream, crème fraîche, spices and vanilla seeds in an electric mixer until soft peaks form (2-3 minutes), transfer to a bowl and refrigerate until required.

2.Place Christmas pudding on a tray, drizzle with 20ml brandy and set aside.

3.Whisk yolks, sugar and remaining brandy in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until thick and pale (4-5 minutes), transfer to an electric mixer and whisk until cool (2-3 minutes). Fold in cream mixture, then fold in soaked Christmas pudding and glacé orange, transfer to a 2½ litre-capacity container. Freeze until firm (6 hours-overnight).

4.Meanwhile, for Christmas pudding crumbs, preheat oven to 200C. Combine ingredients in a bowl, tossing lightly to coat. Spread on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake until crisp (10-12 minutes). Cool completely. Serve scoops of semifreddo scattered with Christmas pudding crumbs.